Sunday, March 7, 2010

3222.0 - Population Projections, Australia, 2006 to 2101

Australian population growth projection leads to increasing burden of cancer for health services and for the community. The continuing growth through births and migration lead to projections that the Australian population will substantially increase in size and in age over the next 50 years. By 2056 5% percent or more of the population will be aged 85 or older compared to only 1.6 percent in 2007. Because the risk of cancer increases with age a larger number of older Australians will result in more cases of cancer diagnosed each year, even if the risk at a given age holds steady. Therefore, efforts to reduce risk and prevent cancer must be an even higher priority to avoid this burden on society and the pain and suffering for individuals.